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WilliamDavidWilliamsSecondPaper 8 - 12 Jun 2012 - Main.WilliamDavidWilliams
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| | | When I start in May, I will chronicle each day of my first week working and update throughout the summer. It is my goal to borrow a license in a courageous and creative way during my time at the firm. I believe these chronicles will be an effective method of helping me track progress toward that endeavor.
Taking Action – | |
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< | Update: May 11th, 2012 | >
> | Update: May 11th, 2012 | | | I was accepted into a class called Public Sector Structural Reform in K-12 Education. I had talked this over before I applied with Eben, and he said that passing the imagination test requires action. He is right. Although I still have to keep working on it, I realize that you need to figure out what makes you "tick" and follow that path despite conformity or possible ridicule. Robinson is principled, despite other immoral practices in his profession. He said "A real lawyer knows how to take care of a legal problem." I hope I am on this path to be a "real lawyer," as I strive for it each and every day. | | | I wanted to be ready when Mr. Beldock came to check in on my progress and thankfully I was prepared. My desk is walled off from the other interns/assistants working beside me, so I cannot see who is approaching unless I stand up. As I read a court transcript of the key witness' testimony in the Cy Greene case, a imposing figure appeared over my desk. It was not imposing because of stature, but because of the immense respect he has earned from me and countless others due to his life's work. He reminds me of Martha Tharaud. Mr. Beldock looked at me, told me to keep reading, and to meet him in a hour to give me my next assignment. Adrenaline was rushing through me as I was completely surprised. There is so much reading because of the myriad motions and depositions and decisions, but you just have to be patient and synthesize it because a lot is riding on what you are able to glean from the information. In an hour I stepped into Mr. Beldock's office and he directed me to his desk. He wanted to know what I had learned from the case, and I felt honored to tell him. He told me to read deposition digests or summaries from the two main detectives involved in the case and to pick up work for another case if my help was needed. Later that day, I decided to visit him again because of my decision to attend my former students' graduation in Oakland, California. I feel bad that I have to miss three days next week for it, but I knew I couldn't miss it. I thought Mr. Beldock might be mad, but he smiled and told me to take pictures. He inspires me. Today after the other interns left I was still in the office. Another partner said she was about to turn off the lights but she saw I was still working. I want to help Mr. Greene receive compensation for his wrongful conviction due to police misconduct. I want to be the best lawyer that I can be. Mr. Beldock told me that he was up at 1:30/2 am working on a case last night. He is at least in his 70s. He doesn't know this, but if he had asked me to stay up with him and help, I would have. This was an incredible week at Beldock. Incredible. | |
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> | *Update: June 12, 2012
I was so proud to see my students graduate, but I did feel bad that I did not see them grow more. Going back to visit the school was also bittersweet. It was great to see that students I taught were still there, but hard because they really missed me and wanted me to come back. Even students I did not teach said they had heard of me and that they need me at the school. It's also hard because there are no more black male role models for the youth. It makes me wonder if law school is for me. It's early, but I feel like teaching may have more of an impact. Maybe it's more of the mentoring aspect that I could do as a lawyer, but I'm not sure. Although I had a great first week at the firm, as a long term career I am not sure being a lawyer would be the most fulfilling. I miss my students. One of them is doing drugs more, and I am concerned that he is losing hope. Some of them have lost family members too. I'm going to reflect more and see where it leads...
(I have some editing to do.)
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< | (After this week's chronicles, I will edit to meet the 1000 word limit.) | | |
Hi William David, |
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